Will Edinson Cavani play second fiddle to Luis Suarez for Uruguay once Liverpool striker returns?

Uruguay’s Edinson Cavani has led the line in the absence of Luis Suarez (Picture: AP)

His situation at Paris Saint-Germain was well documented throughout the season. But how will Edinson Cavani cope with having a very similar role for his national team?

It was a bit nostalgic, yet refreshing, watching Cavani up front against Slovenia. Scoring the first goal and assisting Espanyol’s Christian Stuani for the second seemed to bring back something we rarely see in Cavani nowadays.

He was the leader of the line, the one that dragged the centre backs around and toyed with them as he pleased. It was the Cavani many have come to love and appreciate. But where will this Cavani go once Liverpool striker Luis Suárez returns to the line-up?

Uruguay’s national team manager Oscar Tabarez has said that much of the focus will be on the attack. Having deployed Cavani almost everywhere around the offensive line in both the qualifiers and the Confederations Cup, it seems to be that he will have the role of linking the midfield and the attack together.

If there is one thing Cavani is blessed with, it is an intensive work rate. He will run rampant for 90 minutes, doing everything he can to help the team. He has even been described as a ‘box-to-box’-striker for his contributions on the defensive end.

It is certainly commendable, but perhaps that highlights the weaknesses of this Uruguay side when they are having one of the world’s best strikers defending in his own area at times?

The general quality of this Uruguay squad is a likely explanation as to why Cavani is being used the way he is. It certainly benefits Uruguay as the movement and energy he showcases leaves plenty of space for other attackers, such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic at PSG and Suarez for Uruguay, to exploit. The question though remains: shouldn’t Cavani be the one who has someone doing the dirty work and opening up space for him inside the box?

Actually no. It would either mess up working formations or relations. And possibly inflame bigger egos. And exactly that is Cavani’s greatness, he is not just a prolific striker, but a team player. It’s no wonder he’s so coveted by coaches.

They get someone the opposition defenders have a hard time to neutralize since he both creates from midfield (where Uruguay otherwise lack creativity) and at the same time is a serious threat. Just like a striker – the number nine he deserves to be. PSG and Uruguay are both very good teams, but with Cavani they crank it up a notch.